Sign the petition: protect the ABC's independence.

The perception of the ABC independence has been shattered.  Today the Chair of the Board resigned, following revelations he personally pushed for ABC journalists to be sacked because the federal government did not like their reporting. Earlier this week ABC Managing Director, Michelle Guthrie was abruptly terminated with no explanation. The ABC is in turmoil. It is clear that it is not enough to simply save the ABC -- we need to fix it. Sign the petition: protect the ABC's indepdence. Today we are asking the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader to make a public guarantee safeguarding the independence of the ABC and keep our public broadcaster, its Board and management free of political interference. We are also urging them to fund the ABC adequately so it can fulfil its role as our public broadcaster. For ABC staff, journalists and the public, new measures will be needed to repair the broken trust and restore confidence that our national broadcaster is truly free of political interference. Add your name to the petition to the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader: the ABC is one of Australia's most trusted news sources, we need you to fix it Australia Institute research has shown time and again that the ABC is Australia's most trusted broadcaster. But that trust is at risk from blatant political interference. The ABC board carries the ultimate responsibility for safeguarding the independence and integrity of the national broadcaster. In previous eras, both sides of politics have made inappropriate partisan appointments to the ABC board, but the current fiasco is a more serious assault on board independence than we have seen before. The Communications Minister has in the past bypassed the appointment panel (designed to keep appointments merit-based and at arm's length from the government) to directly recommend appointments to the ABC Board to the Governor-General. Australia Institute research examined options to safeguard the ABC's independence, including: A cross-party committee be given responsibility for overseeing the ABC board appointment process, either replacing the current nomination panel, or overseeing it; Selection of an audience supported board member with a public nomination and selection process; Removing the option for the minister to bypass the nomination process, or only with consultation with the shadow minister. A strong, independent ABC is essential to the health of Australia's democracy. Add your name: we need a public guarantee from our political leaders to fix the ABC. ~ The Australia Institute Team P.S. Three pieces of legislation are currently in the Senate that, if passed, would undermine the ability of the ABC to operate independently and fairly. The Australia Institute is producing high-quality research to demonstrate to politicians why we need to protect and promote public broadcasting. P.P.S Read this piece on protecting the ABC's independence in The Guardian, written by our Executive Director Ben Oquist.